HEALTH SERIES #13. Baking Soda (i.e., Sodium Bicarbonate)

It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

#13. Baking Soda

What do you do first when you get up in the morning? What about the very last step of your daily routines before you hit the sack at night? It depends on your life style, but for most people out there, brushing their teeth might be the first and the last thing to do every single day. With that being said, we need to be cautious when it comes to choosing the right toothpaste we use during our lifetime.

 

Have you heard or read about the harmful effects of 1. fl____________, one of the active ingredients of most toothpastes in the market? According to NIH (National Institute of Health) and the JADA (Journal of the American Association), epidemiological studies have suggested the above ingredient is a human developmental neurotoxicant that reduces measures of intelligence in children, placing it into the same category as 2. _____________ metals such as lead, methylmercury, arsenic and so on. If true, this assessment would be highly relevant considering the worldwide use of 3. fl__________ in oral hygiene products such as toothpaste.

 

Then, what could make the perfect replacement as a dentifrice ingredient to use for brushing your teeth? Today, we would like to talk about the effects of sodium bicarbonate, which is commonly known as 4. _______________ soda in your kitchen cabinet. Sodium bicabornate combats 5.b_________________ and minimizes the acidity of 6. pla___________.

It also helps prevent 7. gin_______________ (=the inflammation in your gums). Additionally, it effectively whitens and reduces stains of your teeth. Sodium Bicarbonate not only prevents tooth decay but also helps strengthen/ remineralize your enamel.

 

**source from the JADA website and NIH website

 

Answer Keys

1.  fluoride

2.  toxic

3.  fluoride

4.  baking soda

5.  bacteria

6.  plaque

7.  gingivitis

 

Acrostic poem using Baking Soda by Jean J. Lee

 

Bidding farewell to tooth problems

Achy teeth and gums are all history

Kick out the old toothpaste made of fluoride

Incredible mineral powder takes the place!

No longer exposure to toxicants

Go for the pure and simple ingredient from your kitchen

Sooner or later

Optimum dental health will be yours and mine.

Dazzling smile is polished

As soon as you keep it in your bathroom!

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy 

It's time to play the puzzle from yesterday's NPR's Word Puzzle. Find 2-word phrases beginning with the initials "W' & "S"!

Today's puzzle is a tribute to our dear friend, Puzzle master Will Shortz. Each answer is a two-word phrase with the initials "W-S". For example, if I gave you the clue, "Climax of the baseball season." You'd say WORLD SERIES.

 

    1.   Celestial event that usually occurs on Dec. 21

    2.   Inferior or unimpressive, metaphorically

    3.   A cane, for example

    4.   In the 1920s, Tulsa was home to the Black version of this financial center

    5.   Dish made with apples, nuts, celery, and mayonnaise

    6.   Largest known species of fish

    7.   Sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat

 

 

Answer Keys

1.   Winter Solstice

2.   Weak Sauce

3.   Walking Stick

4.   Wall Street

5.   Waldorf Salad

6.   Whale Shark

7.   Water Ski

Health Series #12. Rosemary Essential Oil

 It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

#12. Rosemary Essential Oil

One of the most common types of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness, though it can also affect females. Androgenetic alopecia is suspected to be partially due to a byproduct of

1. ________________ (=the primary hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues) attacking hair follicles.

When men with androgenetic alopecia massaged diluted rosemary oil into their scalp twice daily for six months, they experienced the same increase in hair thickness as those who used 2. min_____________ (e.g.,Rogaine), a common hair regrowth remedy. Additionally, those who used the rosemary oil reported reduced scalp itching.

 

The use of rosemary is known as a mild 3. pain ______________ .

In a two-week study, stroke survivors with shoulder pain who received a rosemary oil blend with acupressure for 20 minutes twice daily experienced a 30% reduction in pain. Also, inhaling rosemary oil may help reduce mental 4. ______________. When nursing students breathed rosemary oil from an inhaler before and during test time, their pulse decreased by about 9% — while no significant change occurred without rosemary oil. This is why many yoga instructors use rosemary oil diffusers in their studio to release their students’ anxiety or nervous feelings during the practice.

 

Another benefit of using rosemary oil is its 5. ________________ (=insecticide) effects deterring harmful insects that may bite you or infest your garden. Rosemary helps repel certain blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes that can spread harmful viruses and bacteria. When a rosemary-oil-based pesticide was sprayed on greenhouse tomato plants, it reduced the population of two-spotted spider mites by 52% without harming the plants. It is a great piece of information for those with green thumbs who enjoy gardening all the time.

 

Although non-pharmaceutical methods to reduce inflammation are not well studied, preliminary evidence suggests that rosemary oil may help reduce tissue 6. ____________________ that can lead to swelling and stiffness.

It may do so by stemming the migration of white blood cells to injured tissues to release inflammatory chemicals. For instance, rheumatoid

7. ________________ is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s own immune system attacks tissues, such as knees and other joints, injuring the joint lining and causing inflammation. When patients were given 15-minute knee massages using a rosemary oil blend three times weekly, they had a 50% decrease in inflammatory knee pain in two weeks, compared to a 12% decrease in those not given the oil.

 

If you want to try rosemary oil, simply inhale it or apply a diluted version topically. Remember that the oil is very concentrated, so you only need a few drops at a time.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Testosterone

    2.  Minoxidil

    3.  reliever

    4.  stress

    5.  repellent

    6.  inflammation

    7.  arthritis

**source from healthline.com

 

Acrostic poem using Rosemary by Jean J. Lee

 

Rise and shine!

Ornamental herbal leaves in your garden

Set your body and soul at ease.

Endearing plant it is!

Meditation is possible with its oil.

Auspicious vibe fills your life!

Relax and savor the aromatic scent

You become refreshed with rosemary oil.

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy

Time to play the latest WORD PUZZLE from NPR! Insert I-D-E into given words to make new words!

We just passed the Ides of March, or March 15, an Ancient Roman date best remembered for the assassination of Julius Caesar. Now, I know that IDES is a singular noun in Ancient Roman, but today we're calling it a plural. We're going to insert a bunch of I-D-Es into words to make new words.

I'll give you a word, you insert IDE into that word to make a brand new word or phrase. For example, if I gave you the word BRAD, B-R-A-D, you'd say BRAIDED, which is BRAD with I-D-E inside of it.

 

    1.   SCAR

    2.   BESS

    3.   GUS

    4.   MAN

    5.   PRESS

    6.   STABLE

    7.   WANGLE

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  sidecar

    2.  besides

    3.  guides

    4.  maiden

    5.  presides

    6.  side table

    7.  wide angle

Health Series #11. Tofu

Herbs, Food Ingredients, and Health

It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

# 11. TOFU

Tofu is one of the most versatile and staple ingredients in not only in Asian cuisine but in many parts of the world as well today. You can cook and enjoy tofu in a variety of different ways to change its texture from smooth and soft, to crisp and crunchy. Tofu makes a lot of flavorful dishes and promotes your health as well. Let’s go over health benefits provided by tofu now!

Tofu, which is soy product, contains natural plant compounds called 1.

iso_________________ ; these are protective and as such help minimize the damage known as oxidative stress. It’s this damage that's involved in both 2. ___________________ and the onset of a number of chronic diseases.

Also, tofu alleviates peri-menopausal symptoms, such as poor mood and hot flushs, because of 3. iso____________ (that are often described as being pyto-oestrogens) that mimic a weak form of the hormone Oestrogen in the body. Furthermore, studies suggest soy may help reduce 4. _________ loss and improve mineral 5. ____t__________ in post-menopausal women.

 

Some have argued that soy’s anti-nutrients, including trypsin inhibitors and phytates, may inhibit our absorption of some of the bean’s valuable nutrients. Soaking or fermenting the soybeans before cooking can minimize these compounds, and this is why choosing traditional soya products like

6. ______________ and miso can provide superior nutritional value.

·       

***Source from www.bbcgoodfood.com

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Isoflavones

    2.  ageing

    3.  Isoflavones

    4.  bone

    5.  density

    6.  Tempeh

 

Acrostic poem using Tofu by Jean Lee

 

Tasteful treat

Obliging quality

Feel-good texture

Ultimate source of protein

 

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy

 

Let's play with VOCAB!

Let’s play with VOCAB! Try to fill in the blanks with proper words to complete each given sentence that makes sense.

    1.   Her grandpa is so ch________y (a slang adjective mocking someone or something as “basic”, “uncool”, “normie” —they are out of touch with current trends or trying too hard to be trendy): He participates in TikTok trends when they are already weeks old.)

 

    2.   Elenor’s favorite city is ________-town, the nickname of the windy City of IL.

 

    3.   Jack and Jill finally became more than good friends. They have been living next door to each other for the past 3 years, and the sense of pro________________ (noun meaning “strong bond” or “closeness” in relationship) has made them a good couple.

 

    4.   Tom lost his eighteen-year-old doggie Leslie a week ago. He was so sad that he could not normally function both at work and home. His colleagues’ kind words did not assu_____________(meaning “to alleviate…” or “to soothe…) his sorrow.

 

    5.   Studying the enemies’ modus __________________ (meaning “a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established) is crucial in developing effective counterstrategies.

6. “Doug’s political joke seemed kind of off-key to most of his coworkers and higher-ups at the staff meeting, because he was the only Republican supporter there. When he got the battery of eyes from everybody, he was like “I said __________________________. (meaning 'I stand by what I said, and I'm not going to change my statement or take it back. ' This expression shows your confidence in your statement, and that you are unwilling to retract it.)

 

    7.   The automobile designer’s ______nickety (meaning “meticulous”, “nitpicky”, “fussy”, “placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details”) attitude has made him a worldly famous figure in the field.

 

    8.   What is the # symbol called? You might call it a number sign, a pound, a sharp (in music), or a hashtag. The Octo___________ (meaning “a versatile symbol” with many names) is the official name for the # symbol which was invented in the laboratories where the telephone came from.

 

    9.   Hilary does not want to buy an electric car, because she has some kind of “ ______________ anxiety” (meaning “the fear that an electric vehicle’s battery will run out of power before reaching one’s intended destination or a charging station”)

 

    10. Ted is such a res________________ (meaning “unswerving” and “admirably purposeful”) leader who is unwavering and determined.

 11. Sharon: How do I look? Do I look presentable tonight?

       Paul: You look on ______________ !!! (meaning "perfect", "snatched")

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  cheugy

    2.  Chi-town

    3.  propinquity

    4.  assuage

    5.  operandi

    6.  I said what I said!

    7.  persnickety

    8.  Octothorpe

    9. range anxiety

    10.  resolute  

    11. on fleek

About St. Patrick's Day

Do you celebrate or enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in March?

 

This year (2024), St. Patrick’s Day will be observed on Sunday, March 17. The holiday originally started as a Christian feast day for celebrating the life of St. Patrick and the spreading of Christianity to Ireland. Today, it is a day of revelry and a celebration of all things Irish. Don’t forget to wear the color 1(                )!!

 

The significance of March 17 is that it’s said to be the date of St. Patrick’s death in the late 5^th century. The man who would eventually become St. Patrick was born in Britain (part of the 2.  ______________ Empire at the time) as Maewyn Succat in the late 4^th century. His family was Christian, but it’s said that Maewyn himself was an 3. _____________________ (=meaning the one who denies the existence of God) throughout his childhood.

 

That would change at age 16 (around A.D. 400), when Maewyn was kidnapped from his home on the west coast of Britain by Irish pirates, who proceeded to carry him off to Ireland and force him to work as a 4._________________ herding sheep. After six years, he escaped his captors, walking nearly 200 miles through the Irish landscape and convincing a ship to carry him with them back to Britain. This harrowing experience certainly had an effect on Maewyn, who was convinced it was the Lord who protected him and delivered him safely home.

 

Upon returning home, Maewyn received his call (in a dream) to preach

5. ____________ in Ireland, of all places. He spent the next 15 or so years in a monastery in Britain, preparing for his missionary work. When he became a priest, his name was changed to Patricius, and he returned to the land of his captors to begin his teachings. Patricius traveled from village to village to share the teachings of the Lord and was successful enough to eventually found many churches there.

 

People wear a 6. sh______________ (= a type of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland) on St. Patrick’s Day because, legend says, St. Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Holy 7. ______________ in his teachings, which is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit as three divine persons who are one divine being God.

 

*Fun Facts:

- Before green is the color of St. Patrick’s Day, the color 8.______________ was associated with St. Patrick.

- The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the American colonies was held in

9. ______________________ City on March 17, 1762.

- St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional day for planting 10. ______________, even in the snow! Cabbage seeds are often planted on St. Patrick’s Day, too, and old-time farmers believed that to make them grow well, you needed to plant them while wearing your nightclothes.

 

 

Answer Keys

1.  Green

2.  Roman

3.  Atheist

4.  Shepherd

5.  Gospel

6.  Shamrock

7.  Trinity

8.  Blue

9.  New York City

10.      peas

Health Series #10. GREEN TEA

Herbs, Food Ingredients, and Health

It is natural to become physically weaker as one ages. However, it is possible to stay younger and healthier than your physical age by what you eat at your table every day. More and more medical research and studies have shown the medicinal properties and benefits of herbs and healthy diet.

As of this new year of 2024, let us stay healthy by looking into a variety of herbs one by one, their nutrition facts, and healthy diet so that we are able to lead a life with more confidence and constantly get ourselves back on track with aplomb even if we happen to deviate from the optimal state of health.

 

# 10. GREEN TEA

 

Green tea contains 1. poly____________, such as flavanols, flavandiols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids; these compounds may account for up to 30% of the dry weight. Most of the green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are flavonols, commonly known as ‘catechins’ that is an antioxidant that helps break down fat. Catechins may increase your 2. __________________ rate, which helps you burn more calories, such as while you are exercising.

Studies also have revealed that catechins provide some protection against degenerative diseases. In addition, green tea consumption has also been linked to the prevention of many types of

3. _________________, including lung, colon, esophagus, mouth, stomach, small intestine, kidney, pancreas, and mammary glands.

 

Some evidence suggests that drinking green tea helps protect against certain neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's and 4. ___________'s. Green tea has a high concentration of antioxidants, which may protect against cell damage that raises the risk of chronic illnesses.

5. ________________ decline is one of the first noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia, which involves frequent, worsening instances of confusion and memory loss. Research has found that the L-theanine content in green tea may improve working memory that is necessary for 6. _________________ (same answer to that of Q#5) functions like comprehension, planning, problem-solving, and reasoning.

Last but not least, green tea may be one of the healthiest drinks for mid-aged people (especially women in the phase of menopause), because it lowers the risk of osteoporosis, which is a 7. ___________ disease that increases the risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures. Postmenopausal people have the highest risk of osteoporosis. Some evidence suggests that the high concentration of antioxidants in green tea may enhance bone formation and protection against 8. ___________ (=same answer to that of Q#7) mass loss.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Polyphenols

    2.  metabolic rate

    3.  cancers

    4.  Parkinson’s

    5.  cognitive

    6.  cognitive

    7.  bone

    8.  bone

 

**Source from health.com and NIH (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/)

 

Acrostic poem using GREEN TEA

 

Galvanizing your days in doldrums

Raise your hot cup of green tea

Energized from the earthy, leafy taste

Early birds’ happy chirps begin your tune for the day

Nourish your hopeful days by brewing fresh green tea

Tired of being

Enervated?

Active lifestyle drenched with GREEN TEA will save you!

 

 

If you’re interested in consulting your health with professional pharmacists, check this out!

Santa Ana Tustin Compounding Pharmacy